F1 | 2026 Miami Grand Prix: Preview and TV Schedule

Almost a month without Formula 1A long and strange break, arriving just as the championship was beginning to establish its first balance. The sudden stop put everything on hold: pace, technical developments, and, above all, hierarchies still being built.

The Circus now restarts in Miami, in a context that makes this weekend particularly delicate. After four weeks of inactivity, the numbers are expected to be somewhat mixed: those who had found consistency will have to confirm their performance, while the pursuers may have used the break to close the gap.

Drivers' standings: Antonelli leads the way

The drivers' standings still offer a solid starting point. Kimi Antonelli leads the way with a 9-point advantage over George Russell, confirming a Mercedes that has appeared solid and competitive thus far. Behind them, Ferrari remains in the slipstream with Charles Leclerc on 49 points and Lewis Hamilton on 41, while further back are McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who are still waiting for a chance to rejoin the fray. After weeks of waiting, Formula 1 returns to the track with many unknowns and few certainties. But it is precisely from this event that clearer indications of the true strength of the forces in play could emerge.

Miami Grand Prix: Schedule and Live TV

The Sprint Race returns, and so the weekend format will undergo some changes. It begins on Friday, May 1st at 18:30 PM with the first and only Free Practice session. The race then returns to the track at 22:30 PM with Sprint Qualifying. The Sprint Race will take place on Saturday, May 2nd at 18:00 PM, with Qualifying at 22:00 PM. The Miami Grand Prix will begin on Sunday, May 3rd at 22:00 PM. As always, the exclusive live broadcast will be shown on Sky Sport F1 (channel 207), while the delayed broadcast times on TV8 are yet to be confirmed. We also remind you that on F1GrandPrix, you will find all the real-time updates with live text, live timing, news, and interviews with the protagonists.

Miami Grand Prix: curiosities about the circuit

After its Formula 1 debut in May 2022, the Miami International Autodrome has quickly carved out a distinct place for itself on the calendar. It's a temporary circuit, but designed to look anything but: it has the impact of a permanent structure, part of the Hard Rock Stadium complex in Miami Gardens, home of the NFL's Miami Dolphins.

The 5,41 km layout is the result of extensive design work that involved simulating 36 different configurations before arriving at the current version: a 19-turn track that combines the character of a street circuit with more complex technical solutions. It's no coincidence that the most immediate reference remains Melbourne's Albert Park, both for its setting and the type of driving required.

Making things even more challenging are three straights and top speeds exceeding 350 km/h, which guarantee a spectacular show but also reduce the margin for error. The track also features several elevation changes: the most obvious is between turns 13 and 16, where the track passes over an exit ramp and under several overpasses, with an uneven surface that can pose challenges for drivers.

The section between turns 14 and 15 is also particularly technical: a chicane with an uphill entry, a bump in the middle, and a downhill exit, requiring precision and stability under braking. This combination helps make Miami a circuit as spectacular as it is challenging, capable of testing drivers and cars in many ways.

Miami Grand Prix: Who won last year?

Oscar Piastri won the Miami Grand Prix. The Australian driver got the better of his teammate Lando Norris. George Russell also finished on the podium, finishing ahead of Max Verstappen, who engaged in a heated battle trying to slow down the McLarens. There were skirmishes with Norris, but Race Direction took no action.

Alex Albon's Williams put in an excellent performance, finishing fifth, ahead of Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes, while Ferrari had a weekend to forget. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished seventh and eighth, respectively, a full 57 and 60 seconds behind Piastri. The drivers were nervous on track and in the pits: Hamilton complained to the team about the delays in managing the position changes, but the attempt had no significant effect, and the seven-time world champion was never able to distance his teammate. This situation further highlighted the difficulties of the Maranello team. Rounding out the top 10 were Carlos Sainz, ninth, and Yuki Tsunoda for Red Bull.